33 Songs for a Killer Productivity Playlist

Study after study highlights the benefits of listening to music while you work (or study for finals). Music releases dopamine from the brain and—for a lot of really interesting scientific reasons related to neurotransmitters in the brain—the feeling of pleasure we get is related to the element of surprise. Think about how excited you get when you make plans to eat your favorite meal at your favorite restaurant. The anticipation is almost as good as the food itself! Dopamine.

Research also indicates that music can improve your creativity and make even the most boring tasks appealing. I can’t tell you there is a singular playlist that works for everyone, but if you are stuck in a rut, your best bet is to try something new. Here are some of my favorite songs for productivity.

Bloom (Close to You) (Alex Brandt Remix) –The Paper Kites

Opening up – Sara Bareilles

Intro – The xx

Waves – Robin Schulz

Imagine – John Lennon

Run the World (Girls) – Beyoncé

Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey

Eye of the Tiger – Survivor

One Day – Matisyahu

Lose Yourself – Eminem

Make the Money – Macklemore and Ryan Lewis

Walking on a Dream – Empire of the Sun

The Final Countdown – Europe

The Nights – Avicii (Mau Kilauea’s Tropical Remix)

Work Hard, Play Hard – Wiz Khalifa

Dream On – Aerosmith

Stronger – Kanye West

I Lived – One Republic

You Make my Dreams – Hall & Oates

Defying Gravity – Wicked the Musical

Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

Cough Syrup – Young the Giant

Carry ON – Fun.

We Rise – San olorHolo

This Too Shall Pass – OK Go

Happy – Pharrell

Shake it Off – Taylor Swift

Get up Stand up – Bob Marley

It’s My Life – Bon Jovi

Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves

What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong

I Won’t Back Down – Tom Petty

I Feel Good – James Brown

If nothing else, when you’re wearing headphones at your desk, you’re less likely to be distracted. If that’s all you need to get your work done, then take every chance you get!

What are some of your favorite productivity songs?

About the author

Cally Martin

Cally is the Marketing Specialist, social media lover, blog writing boss, and event planner extraordinaire at Jobs2Careers. She will definitely ask to pet your dog, try to convince you to run a 5K because three miles “isn’t that bad", and will always say yes to a mimosa brunch.